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First Impressions Checklist for Disability Ministries
First Impressions Checklist for Disability Ministries

First Impressions

You have heard the saying, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” This is unequivocally true in all sectors of life, including disability ministry. Do you know where most families affected by disability get their first impression of your church? Online! Does your disability ministry have an online presence? If not, […]

You have heard the saying, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” This is unequivocally true in all sectors of life, including disability ministry.

Do you know where most families affected by disability get their first impression of your church?

Online! Does your disability ministry have an online presence? If not, you may have some work to do. Many families will never show up in person if they are not impressed or at minimum informed about your ministry by what they read online. Here is a list of things to include on your church website.

  • Disability Ministry is easy to find on the church website
  • Programs: Descriptions, Times, Locations Listed
  • Events: Descriptions, Times, Locations Listed
  • Staff Member’s Name, Picture, and Contact Information
  • Walkthrough Video
  • Social Story

After families have seen you online having an in-person visit is much more likely. The next thing to consider is your church campus. Is it fully accessible? If not, it will communicate a message that is not consistent with your heart. If you are not sure if your church campus is accessible download our church campus accessibility checklist.

Now you are well on your way to making a great first impression!

What’s next?

  • Be sure your staff and volunteers are background checked, trained, and easily identifiable.
  • Have family welcome gift bags available
  • Have generic sensory bags available
  • Offer to make custom sensory boxes
  • Post visual schedules

Want to go the extra mile?

Below are two different things you can offer for families before they ever show up.

  • Offer pre-registration & specific information gathering. If you are not sure what type of information to gather? Download our information sheets for children, teens, and adults.
  • Family tour & meet the staff opportunities
Download-onepagedoc
Originally posted February 28, 2023

About Ryan Wolfe:

It is Ryan's passion to equip and empower churches, organizations, and individuals to reach their disability communities for Jesus. Ryan comes to Ability Ministry with 15+ years of ministry experience. He previously worked at First Christian Church in Canton, Ohio as their full-time Disability Pastor. He also worked as a Church Consultant for Key Ministry. Micah 6:8 and Proverbs 31:8 best describe Ryan's commitment to life and ministry.
Read more by Ryan Wolfe

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Because Jesus' table is accessible for everyone...

We desire to see the Church make room for all people affected by disability. To fully participate. To fully partner. To fully lead.

We exist to equip and empower the 25% of the population with a disability, their families, and their churches to become who God has created them to be.
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